Cover and Fill I-ILM techniques allowed similar closure rates and post-operative vision at 3 months. The Cover group showed better anatomical restoration and vision at 1 month while the Fill technique might be more efficient in closing larger MHs.

We reviewed 55 consecutive cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with pneumatic retinopexy as a primary procedure and followed up for a minimum of 1 year. 40 eyes were phakic, 11 aphakic and 4 pseudophakic. 0.6 ml of sulfur hexafluoride were injected into 42 eyes, while 0.3 ml of perfluoropropane were introduced into 13. Transconjunctival cryotherapy was performed in 51 eyes, while light coagulation was used as retinopexy after the retina was reattached in the remaining 4 cases. Of the 55 eyes undergoing treatment, 46 (83.6%) retinas were reattached with one operation. The benefits, complications and disadvantages of the procedure are reported.

Background: To verify the accuracy of applanation tonometry through disposable latex caps used to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. Methods: Tonometry was performed in 80 patients. Each patient underwent two intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with and without the latex. In group A patients tonometry was performed first without the cap; in group B tonometry was performed first with the cap. Each group was also divided into patients with IOP, ≥20 mm Hg (A1; B1) and patients with IOP <20 mm Hg (A2; B2). Results: The mean difference of tonometry readings was equal to –0.36 ± 1.62 mm Hg in group A, –0.03 ± 1.77 mm Hg in group A1, –0.61 ± 1.45 mm Hg in group A2, 0.23 ± 1.44 in group B, 0.64 ± 1.41 mm Hg in group B1, 0.05 ± 1.42 in group B2. A statistically significant correlation was found in group A, in group A2, B, B1 and B2; a less significant correlation was found in group A1. Conclusions: The use of the latex caps does not alter the reliability of tonometry readings as long as the cap is applied tightly. Measurement variation in our study is comparable to published data on applanation tonometry.

Purpose: To report a series of recurrent idiopathic macular holes treated by means of a free autologous internal limiting membrane flap and compare visual and anatomic results to a control group undergoing further internal limiting membrane peeling and novel gas tamponade. Methods: Retrospective surgical series of 15 consecutive patients receiving autologous internal limiting membrane flap compared to 14 patients operated on for internal limiting membrane peeling enlargement. Autologous internal limiting membrane flap was created after brilliant blue G staining, internal limiting membrane lifting, perfluorocarbon bubble injection and creation of a wide internal limiting membrane free flap translocated underneath perfluorocarbon liquid, to the macular hole bed. Both groups were tamponated with 20% SF6 and positioned face down for 4 h a day for 3 days. Results: Macular hole closed in 14/15 (93.3%) patients of the autologous internal limiting membrane group and 9/14 (64.2%) controls (p < 0.05). Visual acuity increased from 0.05 ± 0.03 to 0.23 ± 0.13 Snellen in the autologous internal limiting membrane group and from 0.05 ± 0.03 to 0.14 ± 0.10 Snellen of controls (p < 0.05 for both). Vision of the autologous internal limiting membrane group improved more than controls at 1 month (p = 0.043) and 3 months (p = 0.045). Inner segment/outer segment interruption at 3 months was smaller in the autologous internal limiting membrane group than controls, reducing from 1230 ± 288 µm at baseline to 611 ± 245 and 547 ± 204 µm at 3 months versus 1196 ± 362, 745 ± 222 and 705 ± 223 µm, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Autologous internal limiting membrane flap can effectively close recurrent idiopathic macular holes with a higher closure rate, smaller residual inner segment/outer segment line interruption and higher visual acuity at 3 months than previous standard of care.

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